Langstroth Standard 10 Hive Kit. I have been raising Bees for close to 30 years. In the past I have purchased my wooden wares from the large bee suppliers, Then due to the quality of the mass produced boxes I started buying from smaller, local producers. Lately I started to make my own boxes and hives for even tighter quality control. I started to make the components shown here. I felt that going to a half Blind Dovetail joint would be a benefit since it is, among other things, self-squaring (to a point). The other benefits over the traditional finger joint are that it is a Mechanical joint. In other words if there was no glue or nails to hold it together it could only come apart in 1 direction. A typical finger joint can separate in either direction. Also as the wood expands from the ambient humidity The joint will only get tighter. The last benefit the Dovetail Joint has over the finger joint is that there is less end grain exposed. The end grain of the wood is what sucks water up like a straw. The less exposed end grain the better. In my opinion these components are far superior to the older style. All components are completely assembled and painted. It has 2 coats of White Valspar latex paint on the Exterior surfaces and bottom contact surfaces . All joints in the boxes,bottom board, and outer covers are Glued and Nailed with 1 1/2″ nails or staples. All boxes have metal frame rests installed. This sale includes 1 Screened Bottom Board with Mite Board, 1 metal entrance reducer/mouse guard, 1 Deep Brood Body, 10 wooden frames and wax coated plastic foundations, an inner cover/feeder board, and an aluminum clad telescoping cover. This is a complete hive kit. The photos show the additional components of the hive and are for reference only.SCREENED BOTTOM BOARD The frame has a dovetailed joint at all 4 corners. The Landing Board and screen frame is Dado-ed into outer the frame for strength and stability. The removable mite Board slides in from the rear and allows for a sticky trap to be stapled for a mite count. The screen is Galvanized wire mesh for lasting durability. The length is approximately 23 1/2″ and it has a slightly longer landing pad than usual to alleviate overcrowding on hot summer days when bees are most active. The depth is 3 1/2″ for additional rigidity (most are 2 1/2″). DEEP BROOD BOXStandard 10 frame Langstroth box 9 5/8″ deep. It comes with 10 wooden frames and wax coated plastic foundations. The box is assembled using dovetail joints at the corners. It is painted with 1 coat of Kilz primer and 2 coats of Valspar exterior paint. All boxes will now have metal frame rests installed also. The frames are great quality with a 1/2″ thick bottom bar. What that means for you is less damaged frames Over time or when you extract. It also means less warp-age as these frames are stronger than the cheaper junk out there. These are the same frames and foundations that I use and sell locally. Requires no reinforcementSlips easily into a grooved top frameSharper cell edges for quick acceptanceWax moths cannot damageTextured cell interiorDurable plastic holds up to years of extractingFood grade plastic The foundations are made of a rigid plastic coated generously with beeswax. INNER COVERMy inner cover is designed to serve as a feeder board also. You simply add a small mouth mason jar with a perforated lid to the top of the inner cover. This method does several things.You do not disturb the bees as much when you feed them a jar of syrupIt reduces robbing since it is already inside the hiveTo utilize this style of feeder you will need to purchase a second brood chamber to use as shown in the picture. TELESCOPING OUTER LID This Telescoping Hive Cover is completely assembled and painted. It has 1 coat of Zinsser Primer and 2 coats of White Valspar latex paint on the Exterior surface. I paint the frame prior to applying the aluminum cladding for an extra level of protection All joints are Glued and Nailed with 1 1/2″ nails or staples. The frame has a dovetailed joint at all 4 corners. The top is clad with aluminum so you will not have any unsightly rust as with the galvanized clad tops which will rust on the edges where it was sheared. It is fastened with Stainless Steel staples for lasting durability. The plywood is GLUED & STAPLED to the frame. The depth is 3 1/2″ for additional rigidity (most are 2 1/2″) and also to help keep it from blowing off in high winds. Shipping weight is approximately 36 lbs. These are 100% american made boxes built here in my garage.